Frist Center for the Visual Arts Nashville, Tennessee, November 2015, USA

Frist Center for the Visual Arts is located in Nashville, Tennessee. The center is built in the 1930s Central Post Office. A fantastic beaux arts structure, well converted into modern art museum. There is a nice write up here.

We saw an excellent set of exhibitions including Michelangelo drawings, Islamic art from the Museum of Art in Boston and modern art from Shinique Smith, an artist from NYC I had not previously heard of. She does very interesting work with fabric and paint -- exciting.  

The beaux arts exterior in the main entrance on Broadway.

This is the original lobby, where the public bought stamps. The aluminium frieze work is very interesting.

The upper stairs are an addition in the renovation -- nicely done.

Exterior at dusk

The entrance at dusk

The Station Inn, Nashville, Tennessee, November 2015

Nashville is also the home of bluegrass music. And the principal venue for bluegrass music is the Station Inn. We had an excellent  dinner next door at the 404 Kitchen prior to the show.

The concert was by The Boxcars, one of the great bluegrass bands. A great night out!!

Octopus Terrine at 404 Kitchen

Rabbit stew .. yum

Chicken -- perfectly cooked, at 404 Kitchen

The Boxcars

Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, KY, November 2015

From Lexington in Kentucky, on to Nashville, KY. This is the home of country music and the center of country music is the Grand Ole Opry. Fortunately for us, at this time of the year it is at the Ryman Auditorium. I have always wanted to visit the Ryman and also the Grand Ole Opry. Having them together was a bonus. We are not really country music fans, but to be able to see some of the very best performers in the field was a high point. 

The Ryman Auditorium was a baptist hall originally. Every seat has excellent site line to the stage, which is very close. You sit on the original pews, so bring your own cushions.

The Grand Ole Opry started as a radio show in the 1920s. It still has this flavor.